Moving from Austin to St. Paul (2026)
St. Paul has a COL index of 97 vs 122 for Austin (100 = US average). You'd pay about 20% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$220/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
12297
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,800$1,500
per month
State tax
None9.9%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,741$4,122
per month
Salary needed in St. Paul to match your Austin lifestyle
Based on the 20% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Austin | Equivalent in St. Paul |
|---|---|
| $40K | $31,803 |
| $50K | $39,754 |
| $60K | $47,705 |
| $75K | $59,631 |
| $80K | $63,607 |
| $100K | $79,508 |
| $120K | $95,410 |
| $150K | $119,262 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Austin vs St. Paul
| Expense | Austin | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,741 | $4,122 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,500 |
| Groceries | $372 | $384 |
| Transport | $50 | $95 |
| Utilities | $170 | $195 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $2,284 | $1,885 |
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Paul cheaper than Austin?
Yes. St. Paul has a cost of living index of 97 vs 122 for Austin (100 = US average). That's about 20% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Austin to St. Paul?
On a $75K salary, moving from Austin to St. Paul could save roughly $220/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,640/year.
What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Austin lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Austin, you'd need roughly $59,631/year in St. Paul. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from St. Paul to AustinAustin vs St. Paul — full comparisonAustin cost of livingSt. Paul cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only